Anchoring/Securing my saw?

[futurepuzzler]

Hi. Well I bought my saw, a Dewalt DW788. I took everyone's advice and bought as much above my budget as I could Afford. I also bought the Dewalt Scroll stand because I do not have a work shop or shop table so I needed something to put it on. I was wondering, do I need to bolt the stand to the ground or can I use the saw without anchoring the stand? I had not really planned on having to bolt the stand to the ground. If the answer is yes, what are your suggestions on bolting it.? My wife will not like me drilling into concrete so I am hoping the answer is "you do not have to anchor the stand".
Thanks all!

[Greenfield_Bob]

I have 2 Deltas on stands and they aren't bolted down. I don't see why you would need to with your saw.
Good luck with your saw and have fun.

Bob

[jttheclockman]

First let me say congrads on a great saw. You made a wise choice. You will love it. If you are a puzzle maker like your handle indicates this is a very good choice. Now get some of Mike's puzzle blades and you are off and running.

Also by no means does that saw have to be anchored. A nice solid floor and you are set. Maybe a flouescent magnifier light for Christmas is in the future. Also a foot switch. Now let us see what that saw can do. Show pictures. Always love to see pictures.

[wwalker47]

congrads

futurepuzzler-

I, also, made the upgrade to a DeWalt and I am so glad I did. I did bolt my down to the stand, but not to the floor, it makes so much steadier. Anyway the bolts came with it so why not. I also bought the easy lift from Jim Dandy at http://www.jimdandy.com/ . It makes threading easer. There was someone on the forum told me I could make my one, I probably could have but it was worth $20.00 not to.

Hope you will enjoy your 788 as much I do mine.

Happy sawing.

-Bill

[bearfretworks]

Congrats! I also upgraded to the DeWalt 788 from a Delta 350 two months ago. I'm currently using mine sitting on a piece of 3/4 birch ply sitting on my covered tablesaw. Virtually no vibration without a stand! The thing is so smooth it doesn't even "walk" around the plywood. I am really impressed with it, patterns are taking almost 1/2 the time to cut now as they used to....

Good luck and post some pictures if you have the time. I finally added a couple to the galleries.

[jttheclockman]

Now this is exactly what I have been trying to get across all along. Great to hear the news from people that have made the switch. Enjoy and lets make some saw dust.

[futurepuzzler]

Thanks all!

that is good news. My wife would have freaked out if I had to bolt the stand to the floor. I am a true novice -this is my first piece of woodowrking equipment, so I have a feeling it will be a while before I have anything worthy of showing to y'all. Thanks again for the advice- going to get my blades and wood and start sawing! FYI: I am going to start with John Nelson's workbook to learn how to use my saw....

[BobD (Archive)]

that is a great book to start with. The first exercise--with all the straight lines and curves--do that exercise at least 10 times...I had a class where we spent 3 hours cutting just that exercise. It really helped me to get the knack knowing where the line is instead of trying to stay on it. If you don't understand that distinction now, after you practice a bit, you will understand.

The way it was related to me is that when you first start driving, you weave all over the road trying to stay between the yellow lines and the white lines. But as you drive longer, you learn where the lines are, and don't weave as much anymore. The same applies to scrolling!

Good Luck.

Bob

[jttheclockman]

That is a very good comparison Bob. Learn to anticipate and this will also apply to finger pressure. You will learn to know where and when to use each finger and to switch hands for pressure. It will become so second nature you will not even think about it. As you are learning feel free to ask all questions here. You will get the answrs for sure. Good luck and above all have fun!!!

[Carter-Johnson]

I know my opinions are off the wall because I don't use patterns, but I do feel that one should experiment when first learning about a scroll saw. Don't stick strictly to lines other people have drawn. Try a freehand star, turtle, giraffe, elephant, kite-on-a-string, a pair of scissors, any and all shapes without pre-drawn lines to learn the hand/eye coordination while you let your creativity run wild....

And always, have phun.....

Carter

[earlinjax]

A more solid stand

My Dewalt is on casters and a little more shaky than most. When I mounted a magnifier lamp it became quite top heavy. I had an old cement block and set it on the shelf under the saw. Now it is no longer top heavy and much more stable.
Earl